Kuwait seeks power transfer to PM

[emad]

Kuwait's cabinet has started procedures to transfer power to Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad because of the ill health of the new emir.

The move comes amid conflict over who should lead Kuwait, following the death of Emir Jaber al-Ahmad six days ago.

Emir Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah has said he wants to take the oath of office.

But according to Kuwait's constitution, parliament can declare the emir's post vacant if it decides by a two-thirds majority he is too unwell to govern.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4634894.stm

[emad]

1. Kuwaiti paper calls for ruler to step down

Ku

Brian Whitaker
Saturday January 21, 2006
The Guardian


In an unprecedented move for the Arab press, a leading Kuwaiti newspaper yesterday called for the abdication of the oil-rich country's ruler, less than a week after he inherited the throne.

Sheikh Sa'ad al-Abdullah al-Sabah, 76, was proclaimed emir last Sunday, just a few hours after the death of his cousin, Sheikh Jaber, 78, who had ruled since 1977.

Under the constitution Sheikh Sa'ad must swear an oath in parliament before assuming his duties, but there is open speculation in Kuwait that he is too ill to utter the oath - a single sentence of around 30 words.

Sheikh Sa'ad had colon surgery in 1997 and spent a week in hospital last year with high blood sugar. According to the pan-Arab daily, al-Quds al-Arabi, he is unable to concentrate or identify people and may have Alzheimer's disease.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1691627,00.html

[katmondoo]

2. Sounds like a good candidate

for a position of great importance in the Bush administration

[phoebe]

3. anyone else remember that Cheney was there last week?

n/t

[1932]

4. If everything Bush does, he does for democracy, why isn't Bush making

a big deal about this? Why isn't he making speeches about why a PM would be so much better than an emir?

Why isn't he calling for elections?